Happy 6th Birthday, Abby!

It was Mother's Day 2006 when I found out that I was pregnant with Abigayle Grace. I took the test that morning before church (and then I took 6 more in later weeks because I JUST couldn't believe it!). I had not even told PJ because I wanted to surprise him later in the day.  That morning, I said  "Happy Mother's Day" to every mom I could find.  There must have been something different in my tone because more often than not I received a kind smile and some form of "Maybe some day soon I can wish YOU a Happy Mother's Day."  Each time I just smiled and thought, "Sooner than you realize!"

And then on January 8, 2007 at 8:09pm, I held the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen.  And she cried...and cried...and cried...until PJ held her.  She's been a Daddy's girl since her very first hour!

 I was a  nervous 1st time parent (still am in some ways!). We slept, if you can call it "sleep," with the lights on for the first 6 months of Abby's life.  Eventually, Abby learned to sleep through the night, and so did I.

At 15 months, she was talking in short sentences.  Her first sentence was "It's a bug!" as she inspected some ants on the sidewalk.  One of my favorite memories is of her first trip to the zoo.  She was determined to feed a small blade of grass to a giraffe. That night she talked/babbled for 45 minutes about her experience at the zoo.  Some things never change. She still loves animals and talking! 

When Abby was two years old, she asked us if she could get her ears pierced. Her Daddy told her that she had to wait until she was 6.  It seemed so far away at the time.  Now we are here, and Abby has not forgotten her Daddy's words. Introducing Abby's new "rainbow daisy" earrings:

She was so very nervous.  The ladies at Claires were trying to be helpful when they told her that it does not hurt as badly as shots. All she heard was "shots" and then the hysteria broke.  One lady even pinky promised that it would not hurt. She lied. As soon as they did one ear (because Abby wouldn't let them do both at the same time) Abby screamed "IT HURRRT!"  Why lie to the poor girl?  We told her over and over on the way to the store that it would hurt, but that it wouldn't last for long.  Thankfully she was her happy self 10 minutes later.  I'm very proud of her.  We gave her the option to leave but she insisted that she wanted to go through with it. She conquered her fear and is asleep with a smile on her face now...if she is actually asleep.  She's so excited that I don't think she has stopped talking since we left Claires!

 Each new phase with our first born seems to stretch us as she paves the way for her younger brothers.  But through it all, we are growing and enjoying the process.  She is a delightful, creative, funny, and kind young lady, and I'm so proud to call her my daughter!  I love you, Abby!  Happy 6th Birthday!